India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (March 31, 2026) landed at Deesa for the first time, marking the operationalisation of Gujarat’s fifth airbase of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The Deesa airbase is strategically important to India, as it is located close to the International Border with Pakistan, giving the IAF tactical reach against the nation’s archrival on the western front.
“My aircraft for the first time landed at Deesa airbase. This airbase at Deesa is just 130 kilometres from the international border,” Modi told a public meeting at Vav-Tharad in northern Gujarat later. “You can understand this (Deesa airbase) is very important for the security of the country,” Modi said.
How Deesa Strengthens Security in India’s West
The Deesa airbase is the fifth IAF air operations facility in Gujarat to be operational. It strengthens India’s security on the sensitive western borders and boosts military infrastructure.
The state already has Jamnagar, Naliaya, Vadodara, and Bhuj airbases that are key to India’s airspace defence and to mount air operations against the enemy.
Why Deesa Boosts North Gujarat’s Economy
The Deesa airbase would also boost north Gujarat’s economy, as the local community benefits from the infusion of defence personnel in the military facility, requiring civilian supplies of goods and services.
The airbase would also lead to a spike in demand for housing, apart from all normal economic activities associated with human settlement.
Why Deesa Took Long to Operationalise
Highlighting the project’s long gestation, Modi said, “When I was the chief minister here in Gujarat, we had acquired the land, and we had wished for an airbase to be built here for the security of the western border of the country. But the project related to the security of the country remained confined to files for years.”
He said, “When you sent me to Delhi (as the Prime Minister), I retrieved those files. The result is for all of you to see in the form of a big IAF base at Deesa.”
How Deesa Plugs Security Gaps on the Border
The Deesa airbase would plug a critical gap in the 355-km stretch of the International Border with Pakistan between Bhuj in Gujarat and Uttarlai in Rajasthan’s Barmer district.
The air base’s establishment in Deesa would significantly enhance the surveillance, response time, and combat readiness of India’s security forces against Pakistan.
What India’s MoD Spent on Deesa Airbase
“It is our (NDA) government that completed the work of Deesa on priority. Today, this airport will become a milestone of development for this region and a strategic strength for the country,” Modi said.
In October 2022, Modi had laid the foundation stone for the Air Force Station Deesa and its airfield through video conferencing.
The Ministry of Defence sanctioned Rs 393.64 crore for Phase One of the airbase construction, including the runway and associated infrastructure, in March 2021.